----- Original Message -----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 10:46 PM
Subject: [SD] A plea on behalf of Rotherham United
Dear Football Fans
I am writing to you as a board member of Rotherham United Supporters'
Trust (RUST).
In January 2005 a takeover occurred at Rotherham which involved the
transfer of ownership of the club from the former regime to a group
of fans under the banner of "Millers 05". Whilst RUST weren't a
formal part of that group, the fans managed to raise over £200,000
within 4 weeks for the takeover to go ahead. This also allowed RUST
to have a 26% shareholding in the club - ensuring that the fans would
have a voice and that the club could become a true club for the
community of Rotherham as a whole.
There were many reasons for the takeover, chief amongst them being
that the former chairman was in his eighties, his family showed no
inclination of wanting to continue to be involved with the club and
it was felt that there had been a lack of investment for a number of
years, particularly off the field, as any of you will know from
coming to Millmoor! One of the main aims of the new board was to
build a new main stand, and this has moved on apace this season. The
plan was also to a number of projects, such as IT suites, that would
benefit the wider community as a whole.
Sadly, none of the Millers 05 collective has the amount of personal
wealth to be able to sustain a football club long term. Part of the
takeover deal was that ownership of Millmoor and the training ground
passed to the former owner, and leased back to the club. Whilst there
has never been a suggestion that he would sell the ground from
underneath us this has prevented the club having any real assets to
be able to borrow money against.
Following relegation from the Championship the team has struggled to
adapt to life in League One this year. More worryingly, the club has
also struggled to come to terms with the financial fallout of
relegation, which leads us on to the main point of this letter.
At a press conference on 9 February 2006 it was revealed that the
club need £1,000,000 to get through to the end of the season, and yet
another million for next season. Without this money, Rotherham United
will cease to exist.
We, as a trust, are campaigning heavily amongst our own fans to raise
yet more money to help their football club survive. Plans are being
formulated to try as many different fundraising alternatives as we
possible can.
But we also know that there is a wider football community out there
and would plead that you help us out in any way possible. In an age
where supporters and their trusts are having ever greater influence
now, more than ever, we would ask you to support us - not only to
help us to survive, but also that the community ideals that underpin
trusts and clubs can also continue.
We are holding a Fans Day for the return of Ronnie Moore's Oldham on
4 March. If any of you would like to come along you would be
extremely welcome. It would be great to think we could have a fan
wearing their own team's strip from every club at Millmoor that day.
If you as an individual, fans' group, club or other organisation are
able to donate money, or help us in any way we will be eternally
grateful.
If you want to get in touch about how to help or want any more
information, please contact us at www.rufctrust.co.uk
Thank you for your time.
Phil Kyte
On behalf of the RUST Board
SPONSORED LINKS Soccer trophy Sports fund raising Soccer patch
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